I work mainly in
silver, but subtle addition of 18 Carat gold, semi precious stones and beads
add touches of light and colour to many of my creations.

I first started
making jewellery in 1995 while living and working in Portugal. Returning to
the UK I studied a LOCF course in jewellery design at Chelsea College,
London, lead by Tim Carson.

Since relocating
to Brighton in 1999 I have exhibited in the annual May Festival and
Christmas ‘Open Houses’. My work is also available in a selection of
galleries countrywide.

I have focused
solely on my jewellery business since 2005 and now exhibit at numerous craft
and design fairs across the country. My next public fair is ‘Desire’ in
Kensington, London, 15-17 March.

I have also
continued my studies, first with an HND at the Guildhall, London, followed
by a City & Guilds course in Jewellery and Silversmithing and Fine Jewellery
(Advanced Level) at Chichester College.

1974-79 Mid Warwickshire
College of Further Education1975-79 Lanchester
Polytechnic, Coventry1988-90 Mid Warwickshire of
College Further Education1990-92 East Warwickshire of
College Further Education1991 Demontford University,
Leicester1991-94 Coventry University

B.S.O.E. Full member
& selection committee
D.J.G. Full member
A.C.J. Full member
B.J.A. Full member & committee member

COMMISSIONS

1996
Tony Blairs’ Christmas gifts2001 Major project for The
British Museum2001 Opened a contemporary
jewellery gallery in Leamington Spa2004 Judge for the British
Jewellers Association @ Harrogate British Craft Trade Fair

2009 closed
gallery and moved workshop to home

2009 a collection
of jewellery for the 'Shah Abbas' @ The British Museum'

The process begins in my sketch book. I then draw the
designs on a computer in solid black and white and arrange
them economically on a sheet, the black areas being silver.
I send this with a sheet of sterling silver to a company who
photo etch the design onto the metal so that the white areas
of the design become recessed. I then cut out the seperate
pieces, file and finish the edges and fill the recesses with
opalescent white enamel which is fired at 800 degrees. The
excess enamel has to be ground back using a diamond abrasive
before each piece is then refired to glaze the surface. Then
I apply a transfer and the piece is fired once again and
more transfers may be applied to create a layered affect.
The reverse of the piece is then finished and findings, such
as brooch joint and catch, are soldered on. Finally the
piece is oxidised (blackened) and polished.

'My new work
‘Vincent’ is named after one of my heroes Vincent Van Gogh. Having used
muted colours for a while, I wanted to use brighter colours this year and
the enamel colours used are very much influenced by Van Gogh’s use of vivid
colour.

I have long admired Vincent Van Gogh’s work. I feel that he has been a part
of my life since I was very young. As a child, my eye was drawn especially
to the vibrant colours and the way his images seem to move with their
swaying skies and 3D layers of paint.

So, after almost 30 years I am paying my own homage to the great man. '
Cath Hill 2012

Karen Thomas is a jewellery designer and maker, originally from the
Midlands, who has been living and working in York for over fourteen years.
She graduated from the Birmingham School of Jewellery (UCE) in 1998 with a
BA(hons) degree in Jewellery and Silversmithing. She has worked in a busy
trade workshop and taught jewellery making at a local college and school,
while also producing her own designs. She now concentrates solely on
creating her beautiful, wearable ranges of jewellery, limited editions,
one off pieces and commissions. She uses traditional jewellery making
techniques; mainly working in silver, sometimes in gold. She sells her
work through galleries across Europe.

“I
love the process of creating functional, wearable pieces of jewellery, be
it constructing a mount for an unusual stone or handcrafting a master,
making a mould and running off waxes in order to generate cast units so I
can produce ranges of silver jewellery that are affordable.”

“My
designs are inspired by the world around me. Whilst studying in Birmingham
many of my pieces echoed the city’s industrial past. Now in North
Yorkshire I take inspiration from the landscape and its colours. I am
particularly drawn to the natural forms of the dramatic North East
coastline. This is clearly evident in my Silver Shell Collection which
comprises four ranges created with solid silver castings made using moulds
of actual shells. Also the chunky claw set Pebble Collection which
celebrates the natural beauty of the shapes and colours of the seashore.
In contrast, living in the beautiful, historic city of York has also had
an impact on my work, some of my designs reflecting the shapes and forms
seen in the magnificent architecture.”

Shoreline necklace,
oxidised silver and 9ct gold

cockle shell
earrings, silver and 9ct gold

Sand pendant,
silver and gold plate

SHIRLEY SMITH

FROM
11 MARCH UNTIL MAY 2012

My work has always been influenced by found objects. A
beachcombing ’addict’, my latest collections reflect my fascination with the
eclectic detritus to be found on the shore-line. Eroded pebbles, scraps of
rusted metal, fragments of shell and strands of sea weed along with other
found objects are translated into a range of jewellery that is characterized
by simple shapes and subtle textures.

I mostly
work with silver, adding various carats of gold for colour and detail. Some
of my work is gilded with 22ct gold. Other pieces use an ancient Korean
technique called Keum Boo, which sees pure gold foil burnished onto the
silver to produce a permanent bond. I frequently oxidise silver to provide
a dramatic contrast against the gold.

Most designs are
made in limited editions, with additional one off pieces being produced for
exhibitions or as commissioned items.

YEN

FROM 7
DECEMBER UNTIL 20 JANUARY 2012

Yen Duong is the founder and designer
of Yen Jewellery. She remains uncompromising in her passion for distinctive
jewellery since establishing the company in 1996 and continues to uphold her
design ideals. By experimenting and reinventing her work, she maintains a
freshness and energy while retaining the essence that gives distinction to
the Yen Jewellery brand.

Yen has worked from her Bloomsbury
studio for 15 years, exploring jewellery beyond traditional conceptions
making her work exciting and rich in depth. She sells directly to her loyal
customers from her London studio through a range of prestigious exhibitions
and galleries such as Sotheby’s, The Goldsmiths’ Company, The Fine Art
Society and The Crafts Council. The Yen Jewellery collection has sold
through retails stores including Liberty of London, Selfridges and Harvey
Nichols.